Riders react to Basso signing

At the Giro del Trentino, Italy's last preparation race before the Giro d'Italia, the top of the field riders heard of Ivan Basso's signing for the Liquigas team in 2009. After stage three, won by Vincenzo Nibali of the green-blue team, Cyclingnews' reporter Rudy Gaddo collected some reactions to the come-back of arguably one of the greatest names in Italian cycling, who is currently suspended for intended blood doping.

Former Liquigas rider Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes), who also sat out a doping suspension for his involvement in the 'Oil for Drug' affair, said, "I am happy for Basso and Liquigas, but now there are two things: remove the ethics codes or they [Liquigas] are out of the ProTour."

World champion Paolo Bettini (Quickstep) was also "happy" for Basso, but veteran racer Gilberto Simoni, usually known for his outspoken ways, preferred not to comment. "I don't say anything about that, or it will be a disaster," the former Giro d'Italia winner said.